Verizon Fios will end operations of its hyper-local Fios1 News channel this fall, resulting in the furlough of nearly 150 employees in the New Jersey and New York area.
According to a lohud.com report, the move comes as a result of Verizon Fios ending its 10-year contract with Rye Brook, N.Y.’s Regional News Network.
Lohud.com reported that in an Aug. 17 letter to employees, Richard French III, RNN’s president of news, said Verizon and news network tried for a year but failed to hash out a new contract.
“Barring a change in direction from Verizon, RNN News will cease providing news programming for Verizon’s Fios1 News network at 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 16, 2019,” French wrote in a letter to employees announcing the news, according to the report, which first reported the story Sunday. “This means your employment will permanently end on Nov. 15, 2019.”